Better all the Time

The Blue Jays and Tigers treated everyone to a fun and very well played baseball game Sunday, October 21, at Tilden Middle School.

George Roggie, Jake Lang, Dylan Edwards, Jaden Smith, Jeremy Robertson, Sam Berman, Ethan Yu, Dylan Yoon, Charlie Knowles, Braden Poon, Gavin Ferguson and Jack Raymond put together a complete performance on a beautiful day.

These two teams have developed a friendly rivalry over the years.  Sunday's game featured a superb combination of fun, teamwork, sportsmanship and healthy competition.

The final score was Blue Jays 14, Tigers 9.

October 21 Game Report

Charlie Knowles moved to the middle of the batting order and generated significant production.  His 4-for-4 day was highlighted by a first inning double.  Charlie collected singles in the third, fourth and fifth innings, scored two runs, and checked in with a team high five RBI.  Defensively, Charlie fielded a grounder and stepped on 1st base for an unassisted put-out that ended the third inning.

Dylan Edwards continued to elevate his level of play both at the plate and in the field.  His 3-for-3 batting line included singles in the second, third and fifth innings, a run scored and an RBI.  Defensively, Dylan made two key plays at 2nd base in the bottom of the sixth.  First, he fielded a grounder and alertly tagged out the runner.  He then ended the game with a brilliant catch of a fly ball.

Sam Berman is visibly determined to finish off what has been an incredible season.  He pounded singles to the outfield in the second, fourth, and fifth innings, scored a run, and collected two RBI.  Sam owned the fourth inning defensively, fielding two well hit grounders at shortstop and throwing to 1st base for assisted put-outs.  In the bottom of the sixth, Sam snatched a grounder and hustled to 2nd base to complete an unassisted force out.

Jack Raymond turned in his best all-around performance of the season in the game with the Tigers.  Jack smacked a single to left field in the second inning and followed it up with another single through the right side of the infield in the third.  He also scored a run and generated two RBI.  Defensively, Jack made quick work of the bottom of the second inning from the pitcher's helper position.  First, he fielded a grounder and delivered an excellent throw to 1st base to notch the first out of the frame.  Later, he reached out and caught a smoking liner that appeared to be headed for center field.

George Roggie played a role in almost half of his team's put-outs in the field.  He caught a fly ball in the top of the first to record the game's first out.  He fielded a grounder and beat the runner to the bag to complete an unassisted out in the bottom of the second.  George chipped in with two assists at 1st base in the first inning, one in the second, and two in the fourth.  Offensively, George ripped singles in the first, fourth and fifth, scored a run, and delivered an RBI.

Jake Lang put together an efficient performance in Sunday's game.  First, he knocked a single through the left side of the infield in the third inning.  He followed it up with another base hit up the middle in the top of the fourth.  Jake scored a run in the third and drove in the final run of a huge rally in the fourth.  He also played sound defense at 3rd base.

Gavin Ferguson forced the opposing defense to work hard all afternoon.  In the top of the second inning, he came through with a single up the middle, scored a run, and plated an RBI.  Gavin was victimized by the dreaded at-'em ball in the third and fifth innings.  In both instances, he blistered a line drive down the right field line that was caught by the Tigers' very capable 1st baseman.  Defensively, Gavin made two excellent stops at pitcher's helper in the bottom of the fifth.

Braden Poon received some last minute instructions from his brother, Landon, before taking a turn at catcher in the fifth inning.  Braden's defensive exploits included an alert tag-out of a runner that was trying to advance to 3rd base in the bottom of the third.  Offensively, Braden continued to put solid aluminum on the ball, belting a single up the middle in the first and reaching on a fielder's choice in both the second and fourth innings.  For good measure, he also scored two runs and collected an RBI.

Jeremy Robertson has flashed impressive power at the plate throughout the season.  In Sunday's game, he raised his level of consistency.  Jeremy slapped a single through the left side of the infield in the second inning, crushed a base hit up the middle in the third, reached on a fielder's choice in the fifth, and scored a run.  He also played solid defense at pitcher's helper in the fourth inning and behind the plate at catcher in the second.

Ethan Yu is a dependable cog in the heart of the Blue Jays' lineup.  He collected two more hits in Sunday's game that increased his team-leading season total to twelve.  Ethan knocked singles in the second and fourth innings, reached on a fielder's choice in both the first and the fifth, and scored two runs.  In the field, Ethan did a great job charging a slow roller at 3rd base and firing a good throw to 1st on a very close play.

Dylan Yoon typically does something exciting when he dons the gear and sets up behind the plate.  In the game with the Tigers, "Mr. Excitement" put on a show at multiple positions.  In the first inning, he stopped back-to-back grounders at pitcher's helper and threw to 1st base for quick put-outs.  Playing at 2nd base in the fifth inning, Dylan handled a grounder and shoveled the ball to the shortstop for a key force out.  Offensively, Dylan kept the carousel moving with singles to left field in the first and third innings.

Jaden Smith took advantage of an opportunity to excel at both middle infield positions.  He made an unassisted put-out at 2nd base to end the bottom half of the fourth inning.  In the fifth, Jaden proved that he can handle the shortstop position, first covering the bag and nabbing a throw from the 2nd baseman for a force out and then reaching high in the air and cradling a fly ball that ended the frame.  Offensively, Jaden was his reliable self in the lead-off spot, cracking singles in the first, fourth and fifth innings and scoring a run.

The Blue Jays and the Tigers played well and demonstrated mutual respect.

As a team, the Tigers struck out only twice, forcing the Blue Jays to make 16 outs in six innings.  No opponent has put the ball in play more consistently.

Amazingly, the Blue Jays did not strike out at all.  The Tigers had to work for every out defensively.

That's quality competition.  Congratulations to both teams.

Simply the Best

Tom Yu not only coached and umpired at 1st base, but also lent a reliable pitching arm for soft-toss batting practice prior to the game.  Given the Blue Jays' offensive production, we might give him the job permanently.

Brian Ferguson coached well, made excellent calls on some very close plays at 3rd base, and assisted in revising the lineup after we lost a player to injury.

Trista Robertson worked with Brian to revise the lineup on the fly.  Our beloved bench coach also did a great job translating and implementing the various contingencies that often appear in the managerial gloss.

Susan Poon kept score for both teams.  Nobody does it better!

The Robertson Family provided the postgame snacks and drinks.  Undoubtedly, they earned the heartfelt thanks of every player!

Josef, the youngest Robertson, indulged, as well.

Finish Line

Great job, Blue Jays!

This was a truly fantastic game on a terrific day for baseball.

The sun sets on an incredible fall season next week.

Coach Steve